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Avoid fires at all costs in dry weather

Simple machinery maintenance can make a difference

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  • Allison Miles •
  • Originally published January 27, 2009 at 6:17 p.m., updated January 27, 2009 at 6:17 p.m.

Ask Victoria County Fire Marshal Ron Pray to describe the last week or so and he'll likely give you one word: busy.

The continued lack of rain, combined with windy weather, has meant an increase in Victoria County fires, he said. The area is more than 20 inches behind in rain from where it was last year, Pray explained.

"We're dry, no one's arguing that," he said, explaining he didn't have concrete numbers regarding the number of fires the county has seen. "We have had a lot of fires."

That's kept area fire agencies on their toes, but Pray said farmers and ranchers can avoid flaming fields and blazing hay bales with a bit of diligence and pre-planning.

Simple machinery maintenance can make a big difference, he said.

Get rid of cobwebs, dust and dirt, he advised. And, if machinery sits in one area for too long and grass grows up around it, move the equipment and mow.

"If they do have a grass fire next to the property or on the property, it could burn up their implements," he said.

Pray suggested people clean up their yard waste, reuse what they can and recycle other items. Not burning it reduces the risk of a rogue flame.

It doesn't hurt to do a simple walk-through around the property to see whether the area houses any possible hazards.

People in rural communities have been burning household garbage in burn barrels which - even during the enacted burn ban - is legal, he said. But it's important to keep a screen over the flames with holes no larger than a half-inch to keep embers from escaping and starting unwanted burns.

And, he added, keep an eye on those barrels.

Last week a man almost lost his home because he got the barrels going and then went inside his home. While inside, the wind picked up and those flames spread to his yard, he said.

"Luckily his house didn't catch fire, but there was some damage to his barn and his property," Pray said. "He was very, very fortunate."

The lack of rain is a statewide problem, but Victoria has been hit a little harder than other areas, said Mahlon Hammetter, a Texas Forest Service fire prevention specialist, who is based in Lufkin.

The Lone Star State can have a fire season virtually any time of the year, he said. The heat can bring it on in the summer and, in winter months, it can come because of dry, dormant grass.

He said he advises people to watch the ground when they're running their farming equipment. Hitting a rock or piece of metal could bring sparks.

"Right now we have more humidity than we did but, when it drops off again there will be a problem," he said of the brief Monday morning rain shower.

For those who plan to weld, he suggests at least wetting down the vegetation around the work area so a runaway spark doesn't have to mean disaster. It also doesn't hurt to have someone on the lookout for sparks during the welding, he said.

Also, he added, mow a fire break right up to the property's fencing and around outbuildings. It will help to keep a fire at bay if it does break out and gives firefighters a natural place to step in and battle the flames.

Hammetter echoed Pray when it came to burning debris outdoors and said that outdoor burning is the No. 1 cause of wildfires.

And even though the forecast calls for rain in the area over the coming days, Hammetter cautioned people from becoming too comfortable. It won't be enough to make much of a difference and will evaporate quickly, so people still need to keep fire safety in check.

The main thing, both men explained, is to be prepared.

People often don't think about their surroundings or fire hazards until a fire breaks out. But planning ahead of time can make all the difference.

"A little bit of preparation in the front end can save a bunch of grief later," Pray said.

  • DO YOUR PART

    Want to make sure you're doing your part to keep fires at bay? The Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management offers these tips:

    Clear vegetation between buildings and nearby fields or woodlands to create an area ...

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    • DO YOUR PART

    Want to make sure you're doing your part to keep fires at bay? The Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management offers these tips:

    Clear vegetation between buildings and nearby fields or woodlands to create an area that does not feed the fire. Clear areas along roadways.

    Keep mufflers and spark arresters on agricultural equipment in proper working order.

    Monitor hay-baling operations closely. Check for hot bearings or hay caught in rollers.

    Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

    Watch out for sparks when using welding equipment to build fences or repair equipment.

    Avoid driving or parking vehicles in grassy areas where tall, dry grass can come into contact with hot pollution control equipment under your vehicle.

    Postpone outdoor burning until your area greens up. Check with your local fire department to determine if all restrictions on outdoor burning have been lifted.



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